Solana Signs With Sony-Backed Since ’93 Records Ahead of Debut EP Release
Nigerian singer-songwriter Solana has signed a record deal with UK-based Since ’93 Records, a Sony Music-backed label and management company, marking a significant step forward in her fast-developing career. The announcement sees the Lagos-born artist join a roster that has previously supported the careers of prominent African acts, including Tems and Tyla.
The signing arrives just days ahead of the release of Solana’s debut EP, Girl From The West, scheduled for November 13, 2026. It represents an important moment for the emerging singer, whose unconventional approach to contemporary African music has begun attracting attention well beyond her immediate audience.
At the centre of Solana’s growing identity is what she describes as ‘YoruPop’, a self-defined musical direction that draws from Yoruba language and cultural influences, while incorporating elements of synth-pop, Fuji, R&B and electronic music. Rather than confining herself to familiar Afrobeats conventions, she has been developing a sound that allows her cultural background and broader musical influences to coexist.
Her breakthrough arrived earlier this year with ‘Okunkun’, a genre-blending record whose title translates to ‘darkness’ in Yoruba. The song introduced listeners to her distinctive sonic world, combining Yoruba percussion, synth-driven arrangements and an alternative pop sensibility. Its reception also brought attention from established international artists, including SZA, Little Simz, Tyla and Doechii, who have publicly acknowledged her music on social media.
The partnership is particularly notable given Since ’93’s history of developing African talent for international audiences. Founded by music executive Riki Bleau, the company initially operated as Avant Garde Music before establishing its record label division in partnership with Sony Music Entertainment in 2017. The label has since been associated with the development of artists including Tems, Tyla and Shallipopi, alongside British acts such as Aitch, Fredo and Cat Burns. Its wider ambition, according to Sony Music UK, is to identify promising grassroots talent and help develop them into globally recognised acts.
Speaking about the signing, Solana expressed excitement about beginning a new chapter with Since ’93 and the Sony Music team. She also acknowledged the support of her fans, whom she calls her ‘lanterns’, and described the partnership as an opportunity to introduce her YoruPop universe to a wider international audience.
Riki Bleau, co-president of Since ’93, also welcomed the singer to the label, describing her as the ‘Queen of YoruPop’. He highlighted the company’s continued interest in supporting exceptional female talent from Africa, drawing a connection between Solana’s arrival and the label’s previous work with Tems and Tyla.
Beyond the signing, the timing places considerable attention on Girl From The West, Solana’s seven-track debut EP, which arrives today, November 13. The project features ‘FAaji’, ‘Get the Money’, ‘Okunkun’ featuring Killertunes, ‘Little Birdie’, ‘O Ri Mi’, ‘Don’t Want’ and ‘Dide’. Killertunes, who has been instrumental in shaping her sound, is credited with the project’s production, mixing and mastering.
In a recent interview with NME, Solana opened up about the creative journey behind the project and the influences informing her sound. She traced some of her musical sensibilities to growing up in Lagos, where she was exposed to Fuji legends including King Sunny Adé, Ebenezer Obey and Lagbaja, alongside international pop influences such as Rihanna and Nicki Minaj. She also discussed how much of her songwriting is rooted in Yoruba, a deliberate choice that allows her to preserve the cultural nuances and emotional depth of her expression.
Interestingly, ‘Okunkun’ itself was written in 2023 but initially faced resistance from people around her who questioned whether its unconventional sound would resonate with Nigerian audiences. Her eventual decision to release the record on her own terms became a turning point, setting in motion the attention and opportunities she is experiencing today.
With the Since ’93 partnership, Solana now has an established international label structure behind her as she prepares to introduce a fuller body of work. More importantly, her signing represents another indication of the growing interest in African artists whose identities and sounds extend beyond conventional genre boundaries.
For Solana, the next chapter is about taking something deeply rooted in her Nigerian identity and making it understood across borders. With Girl From The West now arriving, the introduction to her YoruPop universe is officially underway.
